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The federal government may provide unexpected help in dealing with a collapsing section of 190th Rd., the former US-56 highway that has become the county’s second most traveled road.

An additional 50- to 60-foot section of South Cottonwood River bank adjacent to the road has caved in since problems with erosion of the roadbed were reported July 18.

After learning of the latest erosion, Matt Meyerhoff, supervising district conservationist with the National Resources Conservation Service in Marion, came forward Friday to urge county commissioners to seek help from his agency.

Although NRCS generally does not deal with riverbanks, Meyerhoff said the county might apply for aid under a program that offers assistance for erosion issues that pose imminent hazard to life or property.

He provided commissioners data on excessive rainfall in the past month and said an application could result in a site visit by engineers to determine whether and to what extent NRCS might be willing to assist.

Commissioners thanked Meyerhoff for coming forward without being asked and unanimously voted to apply for the inspection.

Commissioner Dan Holub quipped that this might be one of the few times that federal intervention might actually be a good thing.

In other business Friday, they:

Expressed concern that real estate developer Gary Dunnegan may be ignoring the county’s refusal to allow him to install a new dock at the county lake.

Holub added: “This is pretty much in-your-face; what are you going to do about it?”

Approved a second $3,000 donation, this one from sales tax revenue, to Marion County Resource Center / Food Bank to pay for utilities so private donations can be used only to buy food.

Noting that a line the length of the building was waiting for the food bank to open one day last week, Holub said: “Hell, we find money for stuff all the time, and this is a worthwhile thing. I would really like to help them out.”

The commissioners’ next meeting will be a budget session with the county’s accountant at 1 p.m. Friday.